North Korea noted Friday that Russia "paid attention" to its decision to boycott international nuclear talks when their top diplomats met, indicating there was no breakthrough in Moscow's efforts to get Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.

China's top diplomat said his country wants to restart stalled international negotiations on North Korea's nuclear disarmament and hinted that Beijing would welcome two-way talks between Pyongyang and Washington, a report said Friday.

North Korea could complete preparations to fire a missile within the next two weeks at the earliest, Seoul's defense chief reportedly said Wednesday, as South Korea and the U.S. warned Pyongyang of sanctions and other consequences.

North Korea is still carrying out a nuclear disarmament pact despite its recent threat to hold onto atomic weapons, South Korea's No. 2 nuclear negotiator said Tuesday after a rare trip to the communist nation.